11
They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.
12
But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the people of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD.
13
They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices.
14
And I will appoint them to guard the temple for all the work that is to be done in it.
15
“ ‘But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD.
16
They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and serve me as guards.
17
“ ‘When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.
18
They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
19
When they go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so that the people are not consecrated through contact with their garments.
20
“ ‘They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.
21
No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.